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ALICE WAS SEATED BETWEEN Lord Pembroke and Lord Wolverton at dinner. It would have been the perfect opportunity to subtly question Pembroke, but the tension emanating from the two men was nearly palpable. She calmly took a bite of her poached salmon and smiled at the vicar, who sat across from her. There wasn’t a polite way for Pembroke to confide his distress over Thomas and confess what their last conversation had been. If there had been, she might have had a more positive case for his innocence, especially if Wolverton was a witness to such a discussion. There was nothing for it, but to keep their conversation on approved topics while in company.
“Tell me, Lord Pembroke, will you be joining us for our picnic by the lake tomorrow?” Raising her fork, she took another small bite of fish. Her mother had carefully invited an even number of ladies and gentlemen for each day’s planned diversion, so it would be a shame if anyone declined.
“Yes. Your mother has asked me to take charge of a boat. Dare I hope you will allow me the privilege of rowing you across the lake?” He smiled lazily at her, knowing she wouldn’t refuse. Clearly, Lord Pembroke had rarely been refused anything as had many of their class among the ton.
“I’d be delighted.” Alice glanced toward the head of the table at her mother, who was watching her carefully, tilting her head toward the marquess. Alice couldn’t be sure exactly what that meant. She looked to her right and was surprised when she met Christian’s gaze.
“I hope the weather will hold for the picnic.” Christian put his napkin on the table. “The days have been so mild lately, it makes me think that our fine weather will turn soon.”
“Do you always anticipate negative events if there have been too many happy ones?” Alice’s brows drew down, but her mouth lifted in a smile.
“Just planning for all contingencies, my lady.” Christian leaned in. “In this instance, I think the odds may be in your favor. There's hardly a cloud in the sky.”
“How fortunate,” she murmured. He was so close, their shoulders touched, and his breath fanned across her cheek. His scent of bergamot and mint washed over her, the heat of his body magnifying it. Suddenly Lord Pembroke and the rest of the dinner guests seemed far away, and her vision tunneled down to just Christian. “Who would you like to partner with for the boat excursion?” she managed to get out. Had someone caught his eye? Would it bother her if they had?
“I believe my lady of choice is spoken for,” he said quietly, shifting slightly closer to her. Alice’s heart flipped at his words. Did he mean them?
“Perhaps I could ride along with you and Lord Pembroke?” Christian raised one eyebrow in question.
“The boats are made for only two,” Pembroke answered, affecting a sad expression before giving Alice a smile. “I’m very much looking forward to spending time with you, Lady Alice.”
She dipped her head, a small part of her disappointed that Christian wouldn’t be with her. But they were here to prove Pembroke’s guilt or innocence as a murderer and possible traitor. She needed to focus on that and sharing a boat with him could yield the answers she was looking for.
“Have you ever been at sea?” Alice asked Pembroke. Maybe she could turn the conversation to details about him that might be useful later.
“Unfortunately, with the war, I wasn’t able to travel or go on a Grand Tour. Now that it’s over, however, I’d love to spend some time abroad,” Pembroke said. He leaned his head forward in order to see Christian better. “What about you, Lord Wolverton? Do you like to travel for leisure?”
“Not particularly. I had my fill of living abroad during the war. Now that it's over, I find I appreciate British soil even more than before.” He went back to eating his fish course, the subject obviously closed.
Alice wanted to know more about Christian. She knew very few details of his war service beyond the reports of valor in several battles. He’d commanded a battalion of men and seemed to be well-loved by them. But how had he received the small scars near his ear and eyebrow? She had so many questions that she couldn’t politely ask.
The conversation lulled as the next course was brought out. Pembroke shifted in his seat, as if uncomfortable with the silence. “So, Wolverton, did you ever go to Tattersall’s?” he asked while waiting for the servants to set the roast lamb and vegetables before him.
Christian picked up his glass of wine, holding it loosely in his hand. “No, I didn’t have the time. I’d like to buy a new carriage to match the horses I’m considering buying, though. Tell me, when was the last time you purchased a new carriage? Do you have any advice on what to look for?”
The air around them was suddenly charged making Alice sit up straighter. What was Christian’s purpose in asking after carriages? She looked at Pembroke who visibly swallowed.
“It’s been some time since I purchased a carriage. I usually leave that up to one of the servants. Now, horseflesh I can advise you on. Next time we’re both in Town, we can go together and look at what’s available. Perhaps a nice set of matched grays would do.” Pembroke cut into his meat and took a bite, chewing his food slowly.
“Do all of your carriages have the Pembroke crest on them? I wonder if I should take the time to have the Colborne crest applied to a new carriage or have one without.” Christian speared a bite of lamb from his plate, but kept his eyes on Pembroke.
“My father proudly displayed our family crest on all our carriages.” Pembroke turned to Alice and took a breath, obviously releasing some of the tension he’d held since Christian brought up the subject. “All this talk of horses and carriages must be so tedious for you. Let’s change the subject to something more pleasing to a lady. Will you be favoring us with a musical selection this evening?”
“No, I think my mother has planned to have the performances tomorrow evening.” She touched her napkin to her lips. “I believe Lady Beatrice and Miss Beasley will be performing as well, and I’m quite looking forward to it.”
She looked down the table at the ladies in question. Lady Beatrice was just out of the schoolroom and still giggled a tad too loudly in company. She was speaking to the vicar's father on her right, who looked like he was fighting sleep. Miss Penelope Beasley was more forward and anxious to make a good match with a peer. Their eyes met across the table and Penelope gave her a weary smile. She was seated next to an older baron who had spoken of little besides his beloved hound dogs. Alice didn’t know her well, but was looking forward to furthering their acquaintance during the house party. The person Alice was most looking forward to spending time with, however, was her best friend Elizabeth. She couldn’t wait for her to arrive tomorrow. Elizabeth was like a sister to her and had a steadying hand Alice might need to get through the next few days.
As they were waiting for the dessert to be brought out, Christian put down his drink and turned toward Alice and Pembroke. “So, have either of you heard any more news about the inquiry into Thomas Norwich’s death?”
Christian asked the question so bluntly, and yet casually, that it caught Alice off-guard. She glanced at Pembroke whose face had shuttered.
“No,” he said flatly.
“I heard some new evidence has been found,” Christian continued. “It sounded like they’re closing in on a suspect.”
Alice narrowed her eyes. If that was true, she would have been informed. Was he trying to scare Pembroke into revealing himself? “What new evidence would that be, my lord?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.” Christian moved his knife and fork to the side of his now-empty plate so the servants could clear it away. “But I hope there will be an arrest soon. Thomas should get the justice he deserves.”
Pembroke took a sip of his drink before he turned to Christian. “I agree. Justice should be served and the culprit punished. I was quite sad to hear of his passing. He was so young.”
To Alice’s ear, Pembroke sounded as sincere as he had in the garden, but Christian looked skeptical. In all of her conversations with Pembroke, he hadn’t seemed secretive or upset, but perhaps Christian knew something she didn’t. Hopefully she would get a chance to ask him later.
All too soon, it was time for the ladies to retire to the drawing room so the men could enjoy their port. The moment the door to the parlor closed, Lady Penelope came to Alice’s side and sat down, clasping her hands in her lap.
“How lucky you are to have been seated next to a marquess and an earl,” Penelope gushed. “Whatever did you talk about?”
Alice raised a hand as if waving away the question. “You know how gentlemen are. They talked of horses and carriages.”
“My mother would love to see me further my acquaintance with both gentlemen,” she said, lowering her voice. She twisted her hands and lifted her eyes to Alice’s face. “I wonder if you would introduce me to Lord Wolverton first. He's so handsome.”
A tiny stab of jealousy pricked Alice’s heart, but she ignored it. “Of course,” she replied. “I want all of our house guests to get acquainted. And there will be plenty of time throughout the next few days to converse and be partners with everyone at the party.” They chatted about some of the fun activities the duchess had planned.
“I’m so glad the evening entertainments will include charades,” Penelope said, biting her lip. “I’m especially good at it.”
Alice smiled at her, glad that there was something for Penelope to look forward to. At that moment, the door opened, and the men joined them. Christian’s eyes met hers, and an awareness arced between them as he started toward her. He looked so determined and handsome that her heart skipped a beat, and butterflies took flight in her middle. When had she allowed herself to indulge in an attraction to Christian Wolverton?
Her father stopped Christian before he could reach her, and soon they were in deep conversation. She should have been curious about what they were discussing, but instead she felt overheated. Deciding she needed a moment to collect herself, she stood and opened the balcony door so she could slip out. Gulping air as if she’d been swimming underwater, she leaned against the wall, enjoying the coolness of the stone against her back.
She wasn’t alone for long. The door clicked open, and two sets of footsteps sounded on the stone, with the unmistakable scent of bergamot and mint wafting to her. Her father and Christian.
Straightening, she waited for them to turn toward her. “What’s going on?" she asked. “Has something happened?”
“I had three peers in mind that had the means and access to that list, but two have alibis. That narrows the field considerably― to Lord Pembroke.” Her father clasped his hands behind his back and gave Alice a pointed look. “Our agents are in place, watching for any other noblemen in Kent, as well as keeping our family and guests safe. I would still prefer that you and your mother not go anywhere unescorted, even on the grounds. We’ll hold the masquerade ball as planned to lull him into false security that he could pass the list to his buyer anonymously there. If Pembroke is the traitor, we’ll be ready for him. And hopefully catch the French buyer, as well.” Her father turned to Christian. “I'd like to see you in my study after breakfast tomorrow.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Christian looked between them. “Do you plan to go on with the house party as if there were nothing amiss?”
“Yes. I don’t want to spook Pembroke. The buy must go on as planned.” The duke touched Alice’s shoulder. “It’s risky, I know.”
She gave him a reassuring smile. “With so many lives at stake, it can’t be helped. Are there any other suspects to be considered?”
“Not right now, but if you have evidence of Pembroke’s innocence, I’m eager to hear it."
She shook her head. There wasn't anything concrete yet.
Her father gave her a nod. “I’m going to join your mother. Don’t be long.” Her father kissed her forehead and went back inside.
Alice watched Christian go to the railing and look out over the gardens. What was he thinking? As if he could hear her thoughts, he turned to face her. His gaze lingered on her face. “Are you well?”
“I’m fine, my lord. I just needed a bit of air.” She moved toward him, feeling a strange pull to be closer. He was quiet and contemplative this evening. She stood next to him, her skirt brushing his ankle. They both seemed to be looking at her favorite bench near the entryway of the maze garden. Had it only been a few hours ago that Christian had found her there with Pembroke?
The silence was comfortable, and the breeze was teasing her senses with the last scents of summer―scythed grass mixed with the fragrances of the garden. Alice closed her eyes, the familiar smells made new by the unfamiliar man standing beside her.
His voice broke through her thoughts. “Please, call me Christian.”
She didn’t turn. The thought of calling him by his given name was tantalizing. It would be highly improper, but she wanted to. Did she dare?
“Alice.” His voice was gravelly. Compelling. It was easy to imagine him as a commander of an army, used to being obeyed.
“Yes?” She turned toward him, unable to resist admiring his evening attire. The blue waistcoat accented his eyes, making them appear to be the deep-blue of the sky right before it submits to the darkness of night.
His hand hovered over her upper arm, but didn’t make contact. “I want you to know you can trust me.”
His voice, deep and mesmerizing, made her think he was talking about something more than the business with Pembroke. Could he feel a connection to her like she did to him? “What do you mean?” She looked up into his face, and her eyes fell on those scars. Her hand lifted to touch one.
“Tell me what Pembroke has confided in you.” His voice was still low, but he might as well have shouted, as his words jarred her senses.
The pull she’d felt toward him earlier snapped. That’s what this was about, charming her so she would give him information. Oh, she’d heard the stories of him and his reputation for getting information. Now she’d experienced his power of influence for herself. She stepped back. What was she thinking, letting his appeal cloud her judgment?
“Despite what you and my father say, I spoke to David in the garden, and I don't think he's Thomas's killer or our traitor." Putting her hands around her middle, she turned toward the railing, breaking the spell of his gaze.
“You call Pembroke by his given name now? Were you swayed by his handsome face?” He was at her back now, his mouth near her ear. Oh, how close he was to the truth. But it wasn't David Pembroke’s handsome face she'd been swayed by.
“I am quite skilled at spotting a liar,” she told him. “I believe he is telling the truth.”
“Did he tell you that he wasn’t allowed to serve in the war because he was the sole heir to the earldom? And that he was turned down for intelligence work? There’s a good chance he's lashing out at those who were accepted into both the military and intelligence.” He touched her shoulder and gently pressed her to face him. “The other two men your father suspected have alibis. We’re almost sure it's Pembroke. Who else could it be?”
She looked up into his face, his blue eyes unfathomable, filled with so many secrets he’d known and kept. “The exchange is in two days. Our only recourse is to stick close to him and prove his guilt or innocence, as well as look for any other possible suspects.”
“Then the masquerade will be a day of reckoning for all of us.” He leaned away from her, and she heard him sniff. “Do you smell that?’
Alice sniffed as well. She pushed past him and leaned over the railing. Smoke curled into the sky, and men were beginning to shout.
“The stables are on fire. We’ve got to get the horses out. Now.”
